Newport Co 2-1 Epsom & Ewell THERE is nothing like a late winner to send supporters home happy and it has now become something of a ritual for County - and Garry Shephard.

Newport Co 2-1 Epsom & EwellTHERE is nothing like a late winner to send supporters home happy and it has now become something of a ritual for County - and Garry Shephard.

Shephard's injury-time strike at Grantham three weeks earlier started the routine and, after Hednesford had succumbed a week later in Peter Nicholas' first game in charge, it was the Ryman League team who were the latest victims of the striker's "never say die" attitude.

Not for the first time this season, County should have had it all wrapped up before half-time, but they failed to follow Steve Cowe's opener with any further tangible contribution as chances were missed or denied by an agile goalkeeper.

Jason Perry's blunder enabled Epsom to take full advantage just before half-time and, had Simon Huckle found the target instead of the crossbar early in the second half, it might have been a different outcome.

Despite a couple of anxious moments, County deserved their passage if only for sticking to their task and playing good football on a heavy pitch where a more basic approach would have been an easy option to try and secure the points.